Travel News: July 12, 2018

A new rail line connecting some of the most popular tourism destinations in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula could begin construction as early as next year.

According to senator-elect José Luis Pech Várguez of Quintana Roo, the new line, which is expected to cost 100 billion pesos ($5.2 billion U.S.), will begin construction in 2019 and should take about six years to fully complete.

Hyatt Place’s moves to “reimagine” its product and respond to hotel guests’ “evolving needs” make a lot of sense, a long-time hotel expert says.

Hyatt Place, an extended-stay brand that caters primarily to business travelers with more than 305 hotels in 19 countries, announced last month that its hotel rooms will be re-equipped with new furniture and beds and redesigned bathrooms. Lobbies will also be “energized,” and various changes will be made to dining menus and Hyatt Place benefits provided to frequent-stay program members.

Hyatt Place hotels account for more than 40 percent of Hyatt Hotels Corporation’s 700-plus hotels in more than 50 countries. The company, headquartered in Chicago, has 14 hotel brands.

Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina in British Virgin Islands will reopen 30 of its 52 guestrooms and suites on Aug. 1, with the full property reopening planned for Oct. 1.

The private island resort, which is 1.5 miles off the east end of Tortola, has been renovating and rebuilding from Hurricane Irma last September.

Fifteen guestrooms and 15 one-bedroom suites with kitchens, living areas and balconies overlooking the marina and Great Camanhoe will be available on Aug. 1, as will six villas — the two-bedroom Pool House, Cliff House and Beach House, the three-bedroom Mariner House, and the four-bedroom Reef House and Villa Mila.

American Airlines has become the latest big company to say it’s axing plastic straws in the name of environmentalism.

The world’s largest carrier announced on Tuesday that it will eliminate plastic straws and stir sticks from its flights and lounges.

American’s move comes amid growing global concern about the impact that single-use plastics are having on the environment. In particular, many environmental watchdog groups have sounded the alarm about how much plastic is making its way into the planet’s oceans.

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By: Matt Long

Matt has a true passion for travel. As someone who has a bad case of the travel bug, Matt travels the world in order to share tips on where to go, what to see and how to experience the best the world has to offer.
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